The beautiful, tropical city of Boca Raton is a highly sought after place to live. Residents enjoy beautiful weather all year round, and have access to luxurious amenities. But is Boca Raton a safe place to live? Crime rates are definitely an important factor when planning a move to a new location.
Boca Raton is considered one of the safest places to live in Palm Beach County. Total crime rates in Boca Raton have been going down year over year. In fact, total crime is down 9% in Boca since last year! That’s great news for current and prospective residents. However, there’s much more to take into account than blanket statistics. It’s important to take a closer look at a city’s crime rates to determine where crime is more prevalent, and what areas are safer. Our guide will help you narrow down your search so you can be sure you’re moving into a low crime area in Boca Raton!
Understanding the Crime Rate in Boca Raton
When researchers are determining crime rates, they divide the number of reported crimes by a city’s population. They then multiply that figure by 100,000. Experts look at total crime rates, as well as property crime and violent crime. Property crime includes things like burglary and theft. Violent crimes include armed robbery, murder, rape, kidnapping, and assault. The crime rates come from the FBI’s 2019 crime statistics.
Here’s a look at Boca Raton’s overall total crime rate:
- Boca Raton total crime rate: 2,562 per 100,000 people
- Boca Raton total crimes: 2,566
- Chance of becoming a victim in Boca Raton: 1 in 39
Like most police departments, Boca Raton Police Services offer residents access to a crime map. These tools offer great insight into what crimes are committed in Boca Raton, and the areas that are more prone to criminal activity. Click here to review the Boca Raton crime map. The menu at the left side of the map allows you to select the types of crime you wish to review. The “offenders” portion of the map highlights sex offenders in Boca Raton. Overall crime in Boca Raton has dropped 9% since last year.
Violent Crime in Boca Raton
Violent crime in Boca Raton has dropped 10% since last year. Chances of being the victim of a violent crime in Boca Raton is 1 in 489. Boca Raton’s violent crime rate is about 50% lower than the national average, with a rate of 205 per 100,000 people.
- Boca Raton Murder Rate: 3.0 per 100,000 people
- Boca Raton total violent crimes: 205
- Boca Raton violent crime rate: 205 per 100,000 people
- Chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Boca Raton: 1 in 489
Property Crime in Boca Raton
Property crime in Boca Raton is slightly higher than the national average. Boca Raton’s crime rate is 2,357 per 100,000 people. Chances of being the victim of a property crime in Boca Raton is 1 in 42. The total number of property crimes in Boca Raton are 2,361. Violent crime in Boca has dropped 8% since last year.
- Burglary: 277 per 100,000 people
- Theft: 1,894 per 100,000 people
- Vehicle theft: 190 per 100,000 people
Dangerous Areas of Boca Raton
Even if a city has a very low crime rate, there are still areas that are considered less safe. When relocating to a new area, it’s important to learn the neighborhoods and avoid the more dangerous ones. Here are some of the areas in Boca Raton that have higher crime rates:
Pearl City
Just north of downtown Boca is the Pearl City neighborhood. Pearl City is prone to drug and gang related crime due to higher poverty rates in the area. Pearl City was developed in 1915 to provide housing to the working-class population of Boca Raton, and there are ongoing efforts to revitalize the area and have it listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This would bring funding that would surely improve the area.
Lincoln Court
To the northwest of Pearl City is the community of Lincoln Court. This is another low-income area where a higher rate of crime tends to occur. There are more occurrences of property theft, robberies, and muggings in Lincoln Court than in other areas of Boca Raton.
Safest Neighborhoods in Boca Raton
The majority of Boca Raton is completely safe. There are plenty of communities that include guard-gated security, which greatly decreases the chances of being the victim of a crime. All of the following Boca Raton neighborhoods are considered very safe, and great places for families to live.
Vista Verde
If you’re relocating with children, Vista Verde could be a great option! The neighborhood is home to Verde Elementary School, Omni Middle School, and Spanish River Community High School, which are all highly rated; however, many parents in Verde choose to send their children to private schools. Homes in Vista Verde sell for around $485,000, which is higher than the Boca Raton average, but affordable with respect to some of the luxury gated communities.
Centra
If townhome living is for you, check out the Centra neighborhood. Centra is a newer community, completed in 2012. Residents of Centra have beautiful views and easy access to the Pondhawk Natural Area. The schools that serve Centra are great too. Public schools include Calusa Elementary School, Omni Middle School, and Spanish River Community High
School. The median sale price for a home in Centra is $478,000, or $248 per square foot.
Blue Lakes
Not far from Centra is the Blue Lakes neighborhood. Homes in Blue Lakes are more expensive, with an average median sale price of $895,000. That works out to be $325 per square foot. You can take your pick among beautiful clay roofs, Spanish-style townhomes, and ultra modern row houses in Blue Lakes.
Boca Raton Safety Tips – How to Avoid Crime in Boca Raton
- Avoid the area between N Dixie Highway and Mizner Boulevard below the Boca Raton Museum of Art, where there is a higher rate of theft
- Avoid Lincoln Court and Pearl City, where crime is more prevalent
- Be diligent if you must be in areas of higher crime by locking your windows and doors and increasing lighting
Boca Raton Police Department
The Boca Raton Police Department was formed in 1925 and patrols an area of 29 square miles. The current police chief in Boca Raton is Chief Michele Miuccio. There are 304 total law enforcement employees in Boca Raton, and 209 Boca Raton police officers. There are 2.1 police officers per 1,000 people in Boca Raton. You can view Boca Raton police logs here.
Boca Raton Police Department Headquarters
100 NW Boca Raton Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33432, (561) 338-1234
Boca Raton Crime Rates FAQ
What is the crime rate in Boca Raton, Florida?
Boca Raton’s total crime rate is 2,562 per 100,000 people, which is 6% lower than national average and 7% lower than Florida average. Chances of being a victim of a crime in Boca Raton are 1 in 39.
What are the most dangerous areas of Boca Raton?
Pearl City and Lincoln Court neighborhoods have the highest crime rates in Boca Raton.
Is Boca Raton safer than Miami?
Boca Raton is much safer than Miami. Total crime in Miami is 71% higher than national average.
Are you gearing up to move to Boca Raton? Call Meehan’s Family Moving to help you. We’re Boca Raton’s highest rated movers, and we know how to make your relocation stress-free. Call us today at 561-904-6000 for your free quote!
